Coral’s rumour reel: Chelsea to snaffle another future Samba star?

Pre-season tours appear to be causing all kinds of trouble in the transfer market, as the latest reports suggest Raheem Sterling will not be packing his bags for a trip to the Far East, with suitors Manchester City ready to finally stump up £50m for the wantaway Liverpool winger.

The Citizens (12/5 with Coral to win the Premier League) may not have as much luck with luring Aston Villa engine-room marshal Fabian Delph to the Etihad, as new clubmate and ex-City star Micah Richards revealed the defensive shield had asked for his opinion on a move.

Straight-forward Richards stated: “If he gets assurances he’s going to play then the decision is his. I wouldn’t say don’t go to Manchester City, because if he’s playing well he could play.

“To be fair he has asked me what I think about the situation. I told him I can’t comment to be honest,” added the defender. Encouraging words.

As for outgoings at the Etihad, City are believed to be holding out for £20m for dangerman Edin Dzeko, who is coveted by Italian giants Roma, yet that price could be a little rich for the Giallorossi.

Manchester United are also keen to complete two top deals before departing for the USA, with midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin and versatile right back Matteo Darmian the duo Louis van Gaal wants to recruit for the Red Devils before Monday.

In more Man Utd related news, rumour has it Real Madrid have tired of being cast as the villain in the David de Gea contract saga, and have turned their attentions to Castilla graduate Kiko Casilla, now custodian for Catalan club Espanyol.

Could this all be a clever ploy? It certainly seems like Iker Casillas will leave Los Blancos behind and plump for a move to Portuguese giants Porto, so Man Utd fans should not breathe a sigh of relief just yet.

As Real Madrid look likely to lose one iconic player another could arrive, as Rafa Benitez apparently has his eye on prising Swedish superstar Zlatan Ibrahimovic from PSG. Is the Bernabeu dressing room big enough for both Zlatan and Cristiano Ronaldo? Stay tuned.

Elsewhere in Spain, Real Sociedad striker Carlos Vela has seemingly bucked the trend of players angling for a summer switch, having reportedly rejected both Wolfsburg and West Ham United to stick with David Moyes’ boys.

At one of the Scot’s former clubs Everton, meanwhile, Roberto Martinez has been told he must try harder to snare Crystal Palace centre half Scott Dann. Plucky Palace have apparently received an £8m offer, but are expected to tell the Toffees it will be double that price or nothing for the defender.

Finally, Premier League champions Chelsea (8/5 to retain the title) are believed to be close to capturing Kenedy, yet another Brazilian starlet. The Fluminense forward is expected to cost around £6.3m and could join young compatriots such as Nathan, Oscar, Willian and Lucas Piazon in the Blues’ ranks.